Mac OS X 10.5, iChat: Echo, feedback, or "whine" in audio or video chats

If you hear an echo, feedback, or "whine" when you speak during a video or audio chat with another Mac OS X 10.5 user, it is possible that iChat's noise cancellation is not fully functioning on the remote side of the conference.

Ask the other participant to try the following steps one at a time while you are still connected. After each step, it may be necessary to speak for a few seconds to test whether or not the change helped.

1. If the microphone on the remote side is close to the speakers (and not built-in), adjust the speakers and/or the microphone so that they are further apart.
   
   
2. Adjust the volume of the microphone in Sound preferences:
   1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
   2. Click the Sound icon.
   3. Click the Input tab.
   4. Move the Input Volume slider to the left, but not so far that the other person can't hear you.
      
      
3. If the issue persists, adjust the speaker volume. First try to lower the volume. If this does not work (or the volume is already low), raise the speaker volume and see if this helps.
4. If the issue persists, restart the audio or video conference.

Remember, if you hear an echo, feedback, or whine when you speak, then it is the remote side that must make these adjustments. Conversely, if the other person says that they hear an echo, feedback, or whine when they speak, then it is likely you need to make these adjustments.